15 Best Board Games for Thanksgiving 2025 Reviewed
Finding the best board games for thanksgiving is easy with our list. Laughter, fun, and family memories are all included!
Looking for the best board games for Thanksgiving? You’re not alone—our group has faced the dreaded after-dinner lull many times. When we pick games for this list, we focus on fun, easy-to-learn rules, and making sure there’s enough chaos to keep Uncle Bob awake. We like games that work for families, friends, and even that random cousin who always forgets the rules. Whether you want to laugh, outsmart everyone, or just cause friendly arguments, this list of the best board games for Thanksgiving will help you find the perfect fit for your feast.
On this list:
15 Wavelength
Wavelength is like having a psychic contest over mashed potatoes. We played this with Aunt Susan and watched her try to explain ‘sweet’ on a scale between cotton candy and celery. The laughs kept the turkey warm. It’s a party game that gets folks talking and thinking, but never feels too serious. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving because everyone, from your cousin who just learned to read to Grandpa Joe, can jump right in. No boring set-up, just quick rounds and loads of silly arguments about who read the group best. If your family likes to guess at what Grandma’s thinking while she’s passing the cranberry sauce, this is it.
14 Telestrations
Telestrations grabs the energy of Pictionary and puts it on a wild ride. We spent Thanksgiving drawing turkeys that looked more like dinosaurs and mashed potatoes that resembled clouds. It’s great for new players, even if they can’t draw a straight line. Nothing brings a table together like collective failure to guess what Uncle Tom’s scribble was supposed to be. It’s simple, everyone laughs, and it resets family grudges after a tense game of Monopoly.
13 Just One
Just One is a word game for teams, but it never turns into a shouting match. We played this between desserts and nobody even noticed that the pie was gone. Players give clues to help someone guess a secret word, but if they match, their clues are erased! The more you play, the more you realize your family communicates in weird ways. It’s fast, funny, and not a brain-burner. Everyone gets to be clever—sometimes by accident.
12 Codenames
Codenames turns the living room into a spy meeting. We always end up arguing over who can give the best clues. The rules are easy, so new folks get the hang of it fast. It’s a game about word association, perfect for a crowd that wants to chat and compete. No one has actually flipped the table yet, but there have been some heated debates about whether ‘Feather’ is more ‘Turkey’ or ‘Pillow’.
11 Sushi Go Party!
Yes, it’s sushi, not turkey, but Sushi Go Party! is Thanksgiving-friendly because it’s quick and everyone plays at once. We love it because the game moves fast, nobody gets left out, and everyone has that ‘just one more round’ feeling. Pick and pass cards to collect cute sets, and try not to get distracted by the adorable art. It’s great for both kids and adults, and you don’t need a calculator after dessert to keep score.
10 Blank Slate
Blank Slate lets everyone show how much they (don’t) think alike. You fill in blanks, hoping to match just one other player. Half the fun is the wild guesses—like the time Mom wrote ‘Gravy Train’ when the rest of us had ‘Gravy Boat’. Super simple, easy for all ages, and the rounds clip along. It’s perfect to play while someone’s fixing up that second (or third) plate.
9 Decrypto
Decrypto will have your family making up nonsense words in no time. It’s another team game where you give clues and try not to be too obvious. If your family loves Codenames, they’ll dig this. We played after dinner and found out that Dad can’t spell ‘pumpkin’ when there’s pressure. It brings out teamwork, silliness, and a tiny bit of spy-vibe stress, just enough to keep everyone sharp.
8 King of Tokyo
King of Tokyo is the loudest game on this list. We played a match where my nephew screamed every time he rolled the dice, and it only made things better. It’s a dice game where monsters brawl for control of Tokyo. Rules are easy, turns are fast, and nobody takes it too seriously. It’s a break from word games, and will get people cheering, laughing, and maybe making monster sounds. A classic for all ages.
7 Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is the gold standard for family gaming. We’ve played after the meal to fight off the food coma. Build train routes, collect cards, and (try to) keep your plans secret. The game looks gorgeous and feels welcoming. If you want something that’s a step up from party games but not too hard to learn, Ticket to Ride always delivers. You can talk and play at the same time, which is what Thanksgiving is all about.
6 Dixit
Dixit is like storytime with weird art. You make up clues for dreamy, strange pictures, and everyone tries to guess which card you meant. Someone always makes up a wild story about the turkey’s secret life, and we all clap. Simple to learn, easy to play, and the art is a feast for your eyes. If your family likes stories, Dixit is a hit after the leftovers are packed away.
5 7 Wonders
7 Wonders is a bit more advanced, but even our non-gamer relatives picked it up quickly. You draft cards, build a city, and try to outwit the aunt who always hoards resources. Games don’t drag, and everyone is doing something at the same time, so nobody gets bored. It feels like a strategy game, but there’s not enough downtime to lose the family crowd. Plus, you get to brag about your ‘wonders’ over pie.
4 The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
The Crew puts your family on a space (or sea) mission. It’s a trick-taking game, but everyone works together. We failed our first few missions, but had more fun struggling than winning. If you want a game where the family works as a team, this is gold. It’s like a Thanksgiving group project, but way more fun and nobody ends up mad at the organizer.
3 Monikers
Monikers is the party game where embarrassing yourself is half the game. You describe, act, and give one-word clues for wild and weird phrases. Thanksgiving always gets louder when this hits the table. We spent most of the round with someone snorting cranberry sauce because we couldn’t stop laughing. It’s easy, super fun, and perfect for the ‘best board games for thanksgiving’ since it breaks the ice between distant cousins and new partners alike.
2 Carcassonne
Carcassonne is the board game that got my uncle hooked—he asks for it every year. It’s about laying tiles and claiming roads and fields, but really, it’s about bragging rights and sneaky moves. Rules are simple, but there’s just enough meat to keep it interesting after the turkey. Nobody feels out of place, and even kids get the hang of it. Plus, there’s a calm, puzzle-like feel that’s perfect for a family wind-down.
1 Cranium
Cranium is the ultimate ‘best board games for thanksgiving’ choice because it’s got something for everyone: trivia, word play, drawing, acting, and even sculpting. We drag this out every Thanksgiving, and even the folks who claim ‘I’m not a game person’ end up in the spotlight. The mix of silliness and smarts fits the family perfectly. Every year, we discover someone’s surprise talent—or lack of one. It turns Thanksgiving into a full-on variety show and brings out belly laughs, groans, and shock at Grandpa’s clay turkey sculpting skills. If chaos and fun are what you want, Cranium is the no-brainer pick for the best board game for Thanksgiving.
